LONDON -- Former Duke University star Shannon Rowbury took sixth overall in the 1,500 meter finals this afternoon at the 2012 London Olympics. Rowbury clocked a time of 4:11.26, just over a second behind the winner.

The sixth-place finish is the highest finish by an American woman in the 1,500 at the Olympics.

The race started at a deliberate pace through the first lap with Rowbury staying among the leaders. She remained with the top group through three laps and as the runners came into the bell lap the pace quickened and Rowbury dropped back in the pack to take sixth.

The San Francisco, Calif., native bested her first Olympic appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where she gave the U.S. its highest finish by a woman in the 1,500 by crossing the line in seventh.

While at Duke, Rowbury was the 2007 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Mile Champion and earned All-America honors in cross country, indoor and outdoor track.